My little girl started her first job today. I can't believe she Is old enough to be working! It seems like only yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital and began my journey as a father. She turned 16 on March 10th, and that was shocking enough!
I'm not really old, and I don't really feel like I am. But It seems as If the time Is flowing very quickly. A lot has gone on In the 16 years since she was born, and most of It I have been a part of.
However, since her Mother and I divorced 4 years ago, I have not been In my kid's lives on a day to day basis. I accepted this when I divorced their Mother, but I miss that bonding time I enjoyed so much. Now I only get to see them every other Weekend. That's not enough!
Also, my kids are at that stage of a teenager's life when it's just not "cool" to hang out with their Parents. So when they come to my home, they spend minimal time with me. They hang out In their rooms watching TV, or playing video games.
I'm not here complaining about It, just giving a generalized look at It from my perspective. I was once a teenager, and I went through the same thing.
Now, back to the subject at hand. My Daughter Is In orientation for the new job as I write this. I wonder what Is going on In it, and I worry about the pitfalls of her working around so many other people. I used to be the "bad boy" who tried to get with the sweet,innocent girls...LOL.
I think that her Mother and I have raised her pretty well, and she has good morals and values. But she Is young and quite possibly could be an easy target. I risk the possibility of her rebelling against my wishes If I harp on this issue with her. So I have had to hold my tongue and hope her Mother Is having the good old fashioned Mother Daughter talks and relationship.
You see, my little girl has a boyfriend who Is 18. I am very upset about this, but I can't do too much about it. Since I don't live with her, I can't keep my watchful eye on her like I would like. In fact, my ex-wife keeps telling me I don't need to meet this kid. HUH??? I feel totally left out on the process of helping her maintain her status as a good girl.
I don't want to treat this kid bad, or threaten him that if he does something I will beat his ass. I have heard from the ex that he Is really a nice kid. Well, I want to make that determination for myself. For all I know, he could be putting up a front as Mr. Good guy, and my ex I buying It hook-line-and-sinker. I want to see for myself what kind of guy he Is.
I'm not stupid, and I'm no fool. I know eventually my daughter is going to have sex. I just want to be there to keep a watchful eye for the tell-tale signs that her boyfriend might be trying to pressure her. I In no way would condone for her to be Involved In a sexual relationship, and I want her to remain sex free for as long as possible.
I am proud of my little girl, and I am happy she has her first job. I just have a whole new set of issues to worry about now. These are the days I was dreading would come when she was a little baby. I'm just trying to be the best Dad I can be while not living with her and her Brother.
